At least 117 women and girls across the country were victims of violence in October, according to the monthly human rights report of the Human Rights Support Society. Meanwhile, eight women and girls were gang-raped, while seven were killed after rape. Additionally, 11 women and girls were victims of sexual harassment, while two were killed over dowry. A total of 37 women were killed in family disputes; and 10 died by suicide.

As per the HRSS, 55 females were reportedly raped last month. Of them, 27 were aged under 18. It also said 76 children faced violence last month, with 36 ending up getting killed. The monthly report was prepared based on media reports and the organisation's own documentation, HRSS said. At least nine people were killed in incidents of political violence last month: 26 between BNP and AL; 25 BNP intra-party clashes; three between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami; and one AL intra-party clash.

The interim government has decided to recall six ambassadors who were appointed on contracts between August 8 to 15, and bring back the ambassadors who will go on PRL (post-retirement leave) by December 31, to Dhaka. As a result, the government is set to appoint new ambassadors in at least 21 Bangladesh missions abroad, including in Washington DC, the UK and China with the recruitment process already being completed at several missions.

Apart from this, at least 10 foreign missions are likely to see changes that include transfer and filling up of vacant positions within a month. The government has already sent the proposed names of the diplomats for eight countries including the US, the UK, China and Saudi Arabia for vetting the respective countries. Besides, decisions were finalised to appoint new ambassadors to 12 countries and the process started to send the names of the would-be diplomats for the permission of the respective countries.

The Inquiry Commission investigating enforced disappearances has received over 1,600 complaints regarding incidents fitting the description of the crime occurring any time between January 6, 2009 and August 5, 2024. Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury, the commission's chair, said they have analysed 400 of the complaints so far. The commission has also identified eight secret detention centres where victims were held for prolonged periods in wretched conditions. Some of the cases relate to perpetrators who are not part of the government - 22 such cases have been identified, and handed over to the police for investigation.

They also reported that approximately 200 individuals are still missing among those who have been victims of enforced disappearances. The commission has so far identified four main reasons for enforced disappearances. A significant number of cases are linked to political reasons. Another large portion of disappearances appears to be related to suspicions of terrorism. Some people went missing due to business or family issues. Several cases are still unclear.

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed told a full court meeting of the High Court judges that he will propose to the authorities concerned to form a judicial appointment council for selecting competent candidates for their appointment as new HC judges. Disclosing his plan, the chief justice also said specific rules will be formulated for constituting the council under the constitution and he will share all these relevant issues with the HC judges later on, meeting sources said.

The full court meeting decided to promote 10 additional district and sessions judges to the posts of district and sessions judges, three joint district judges to the posts of additional district judges and 124 assistant judges to the posts of senior assistant judges. The closed-door meeting was held at the conference room of the Supreme Court's Administrative Building No-4. The chief justice also informed the full court meeting that the SC has recently proposed establishing a separate Secretariat for the judiciary.